Ready, Set, Rawcliffe! - Party in the Park
2026-10-16 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Rawcliffe Country Park, Rawcliffe, York, YO30 5RX
Every year, York Cares hosts a Big Community Challenge – four weeks of volunteering delivered by our ECO Team partners and volunteers from across York. This year, our challenge is ‘Ready, Set, Rawcliffe!‘, and focuses on making Rawcliffe Country Park a more sustainable, more enjoyable, place for residents and visitors of our city to enjoy. On the final day, we’ll be hosting a ‘celebration’ event to inaugurate the park, and show people how unique and vital a green space Rawcliffe is for York.

Join us to cut the ribbon on a new, improved Rawcliffe Country Park! There will be music, food, activities – and you can try out our new ‘soundwalk’ trail of Rawcliffe. No booking needed, just turn up!
Read more about the project here: https://www.yorkcares.co.uk/about/blog/ready-set-rawcliffe-announcing-our-big-community-challenge-2026/

York! Get to grips with the Ecological Crisis @ Homestead Park
2026-10-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
The Biodiversity Collage is a visual, interactive, and accessible workshop that aims to raise awareness around the ecological crisis. It is based on the 2019 IPBES report from the UN. The collaborative workshop invites participants to share their knowledge while making this important scientific report fun and accessible.
During this workshop, you will discover key concepts around biodiversity, the interactions with human activities and the threats caused by its destruction.
Find us at: Homestead Park Pavillion. The Homestead, 40 Water End York YO30 6WP
what3words.com/flips.nurses.renew (find out more about what3words)
Suitable for ages 14+. Book online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/york-get-to-grips-with-the-ecological-crisis-homestead-park-tickets-1544004702629?aff=oddtdtcreator

Love Your Rivers Movement Session
2026-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Spark York, 17-21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
Led by Maddy Winter: a joyful and passional no-experience-needed movement session celebrating the Ouse and Foss with collaborative exercises inspired by their biology, hydrology and folklore.
Age restrictions: 12+ and minors must be accompanied by an adult.
This event requires booking which can be done through this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/love-your-river-movement-session-tickets-1997150922170?aff=oddtdtcreator

Part of the Love Your River Day of Action organised by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. All Love Your River events are free but donations will be welcome to help cover event costs and support the development of the Charter for Yorkshire’s Rivers.

Love Your River: The Confluence of the Rivers
2026-10-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Tower Gardens, York, YO1
Dress up in celebration of rivers and bring if you can a small sample of your home river or beck (no more than 100ml) for a ceremonial blending of the waters. The gathering will then make a short procession to the centre of York.
The idea is to create a bit of a public spectacle and catch the eye of the press to help raise awareness about the state of Yorkshire’s rivers.
Booking is not required for this event, just turn up!
Age restrictions: 12+, minors must be accompanied by an adult.
This event will take place on the banks of the River Ouse, next to Tower Gardens.

Part of the Love Your River Day of Action organised by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. All Love Your River events are free but donations will be welcome to help cover event costs and support the development of the Charter for Yorkshire’s Rivers.

Love Your River Bardic Session
2026-10-18 18:00 - 20:30 | Spark York, 17-21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
Join us for a captivating evening of words, music and poetry celebrating the beauty, power and importance of our rivers. Led by writer and campaigner Amy-Jane Beer and poet Daniel Grimston, the evening will feature a spellbinding performance from cellist, singer and poet Sarah Smout.
Blending live-looped cello soundscapes, ethereal vocals and evocative poetry, Sarah creates immersive performances that invite us to pause, listen and reconnect with the natural world. Together, the evening will explore our deep connection to rivers and nature and what they mean to us in a time of climate and ecological crisis.
Age restrictions: 12+ – minors must be accompanied by an adult. A cash bar is available.
This event requires booking, which can be done through this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/love-your-river-bardic-session-tickets-1997153535988?aff=oddtdtcreator
Part of the Love Your River Day of Action organised by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. All Love Your River events are free but donations will be welcome to help cover event costs and support the development of the Charter for Yorkshire’s Rivers.

Castle Howard's Future Landscapes - From Hundred Springs to Climate Extremes
2026-10-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Patch, The Bonding Warehouse, Patch, The Bonding Warehouse, Terry Avenue, York, YO1 6FA, United Kingdom
Castle Howard’s acclaimed Future Landscapes series comes to the York Environment Festival for a panel discussion on water in a changing climate.
Inspired by Henderskelfe, meaning “Hundred Springs“, speakers from Castle Howard, Environment Bank, Howardian Hills National Landscape and Young Wilders will explore flooding, drought and landscape resilience.
This panel discussion is perfect for anyone interested in nature, climate and water. Suitable for ages 12+.
Reserve your spot online: https://www.castlehoward.co.uk/whats-on/natural-environment-events

What’s in the water? Using data to tackle misinformation and drive change
2026-10-22 18:00 - 19:30 | York Explore Library, Library Square, York, YO1 7DS
Is the Ouse an open sewer, or a river we’re forgetting how to know?
This interactive evening explores how myths, headlines and assumptions shape public perceptions of York’s river, and how citizen science and community knowledge can help us build a clearer picture and drive change.
Featuring Ouse It or Lose It, the University of York’s AQUA Project and local river partners, with discussion and audience Q&A. With images from the City Archive as hosted by Explore York Library and Archives.
Suitable for ages 14+, people under the age of 14 can attend if accompanied by a responsible adult.
Tickets for this free event are available at https://exploreyork.org.uk/whats-on/

How York can resist Drax's Dirty Data Centre
2026-10-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Spark York, 17-21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
Join us to find out how to take action against Drax’s tree burning power station. Learn about their plans to build an AI data in Yorkshire in collaboration with the University of York, which would enable them to profit from harming marginalised communities for decades to come. Whether you are looking to try something new or are a seasoned campaigner/organiser – there is something for everyone!
We need people power now more than ever. There will be a panel followed by discussion. Booking is not required – just turn up!
All donations will go towards buying materials and supporting campaigners with costs such as travel.

York rivers trail: the rivers and us - following the Foss
2026-10-24 10:00 - 11:15, 2026-10-24 12:00 - 13:15 | Tower Gardens, York, YO1
Join us for a guided exploration of the River Foss and its role in shaping York’s past, present and future.
Starting on the York rivers trail and following part of the New Walk, participants will explore the Foss’s heritage, wildlife and role in climate resilience. Through guided conversation and creative engagement, the walk invites participants to reflect on the future of York’s rivers, communities and natural environment.
We will meet at Tower Gardens, near Clifford’s Tower.
Book your place here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cityofyorkcouncil1/2364785
Find out more about the York Rivers Trail here: https://www.york.gov.uk/YorkRiversTrail

Get to grips with the Planetary Boundaries @ Homestead Park
2026-10-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
Perhaps you’ve got your head around the climate crisis? Or the ecological crisis? It’s already a head scratcher. The Stockholm Resilience Centre have identified a further 7 other earth systems that we need to be aware of. Together they call these “”planetary boundaries.”
These 9 planetary boundaries are exposed and explained in this systemic and collaborative 3-hour workshop.
Find us at: Homestead Park Pavillion. The Homestead, 40 Water End York YO30 6WP
what3words.com/flips.nurses.renew (Find out more about what3words)
Suitable for ages 14+. Book online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/york-get-to-grips-with-the-planetary-boundaries-homestead-tickets-1996252716613?aff=oddtdtcreator

Better Buses National Conference
2026-10-24 10:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, Friargate, York, YO1 9RL
Join campaigners from across the UK to mark 40 years of bus deregulation & discuss progress towards getting our buses back in public control.
This is a conference of interest to public transport campaigners, environmental activists, trade unions, pensioners and anyone concerned about the future of public transport.
The conference will bring together campaigners for better buses to share experiences and plan the way forward. There will be workshops on free fares, rural transport, experiences of franchising campaigns, accessibility, working conditions on buses and more.
People under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Reserve your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/better-buses-national-conference-in-person-in-york-and-online-tickets-1993610834673
All donations will support paying for the venue, refreshments and any admin expenses.

Celebration of Repair Cafes
2026-10-24 11:00 - 15:00 | York Explore Library, Library Square, York, YO1 7DS
Join the combined Repair Cafes of York together with York Explore for a showcase Repair Cafe to meet volunteer fixers at work, find out what goes on in a repair cafe, learn about what can be mended, and take away advice, inspiration and new skills.
Workshops in mending techniques will be available alongside the Repair Cafe. Open to any and all ages, if you have ever had anything break and wonder whether it can be fixed, or wanted to reduce waste or save money by mending, this is for you.
Find us at York Explore Library, no booking needed.

Clifton Apple Weekend: Community apple picking and juicing at The Dormouse
2026-10-24 13:00 - 16:00 | The Doormouse Pub, Clifton Park Avenue, York, YO30 5PA
Have a go at picking your own apples from some of York’s fantastic fruit trees. Volunteers will be on hand to advise, and picking tools are available. Learn about the huge variety of apples grown in York, meet fellow fruit enthusiasts, and learn about the work Edible York does to encourage growing and to increase access to local fruit.
Meet us at the orchard in front of The Dormouse pub, Clifton Park Avenue, York, YO30 5PA.
what3words: brain.sends.salad (find out more about what3words)
Drop In. Children should be accompanied.

Clifton Apple Weekend: Apple Day at Homestead
2026-10-25 12:00 - 16:00 | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
Join us for a fun-filled celebration of apples! Joined by preserving-whizz Marion Burgess for a day of fruity fun for all ages.
Find us on the Main Lawn from 11am – 3pm, no need to book.

Try your hand at apple pressing and enjoy some fresh juice
Get stuck into some autumnal crafts
Finish with our autumn open mic music

Everyone is welcome. If you have a surplus of apples, do bring them along to make into delicious juice. No Apples? No problem, you can still get involved in all the activities!
The event will be held near the main lawn and in the Homestead Park pavilion – to find us, head to the pavilion (whatthreewords reference: ///ears.feast.boots).

The rivers and us: stories in motion
2026-10-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Rowntree Park, Terry Avenue, York, YO23 1JQ
Join us for a creative family workshop inspired by York’s rivers, wildlife and changing environment.
Through storytelling, imagination and performance activities, families will explore how rivers support nature, shape communities and contribute to a healthy future. Inspired by themes from the York rivers trail, participants will create characters, stories and short performances exploring wildlife, water, flooding and life along the river.
Book here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cityofyorkcouncil1/2364644
Booking information:

Suitable for families with children aged 5+. No previous drama or performance experience is required.
This workshop is designed for families to participate together. Capacity is limited to 20 people in total, including both children and accompanying adults. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Activities are designed to encourage family groups to create, explore and take part together.
Set within Rowntree Park, the amphitheatre is near the southern tennis courts and recreation field (Millennium Bridge side).

Why Trees Matter
2026-10-27 12:00 - 16:00 | Rawcliffe Country Park, Rawcliffe, York, YO30 5RX
Join us at Rawcliffe Country Park for a fun, family-friendly drop-in event exploring the amazing world of trees. Discover how trees help tackle climate change, reduce pollution and flooding, support wildlife, and provide food. Learn to identify a variety of local trees, enjoy hands-on tree planting demonstrations, and find out how to get trees for your own garden or community.
Perfect for children, young people, families, and nature lovers. All welcome – just drop in!
No age restrictions but children should be accompanied by an adult.
Find us in Rawcliffe Country Park at the Park and Ride – use the What3Words location ///duck.making.soak.

The rivers and us: future voices
2026-10-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Rowntree Park, Terry Avenue, York, YO23 1JQ
What kind of future do we want for York’s rivers?
Drawing inspiration from the York rivers trail, this creative workshop invites young people to explore rivers, climate resilience, nature and community through storytelling, discussion and performance. Participants will develop creative responses, share their perspectives and consider how individual and collective action can help shape a more sustainable and resilient future for York’s rivers, communities and natural environment.
Book your place here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cityofyorkcouncil1/2364683
Booking information:

Suitable for young people aged 13+. No previous drama or performance experience is required.
Capacity is limited to 10 participants to allow time for discussion, creative development and performance.
The workshop is designed for young people aged 13+ to participate independently, although parents and carers are expected to remain on site.
Set within Rowntree Park, the amphitheatre is near the southern tennis courts and recreation field (Millennium Bridge side).

Fresh Air, Fresh Ideas: A High-Energy Green Morning for York Businesses
2026-10-28 08:00 - 11:00 | NatWest Accellerator, Innovation Centre, University of York, York, YO10 5DG
Kickstart your morning with live music, free warm drinks, and networking at the NatWest Hub.
We’ll take an accessible 30-minute campus walk to swap simple, low-cost green ideas, then return to draft a 1-page eco plan over cool-down beats.
Open to local micro-businesses, freelancers, and community members looking to cut carbon and save costs!
Suitable for ages 18+.
Booking is required for this event and the link for this will be available soon.

The rivers and us: animating the river
2026-10-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
Discover the wildlife and stories that flow through York’s rivers in this hands-on family animation workshop.
Inspired by the York rivers trail, participants will explore birds, insects, animals and habitats that make York’s rivers important places for nature. Through creative animation activities, families will bring river wildlife to life while learning about biodiversity, ecosystems and healthy rivers.
Book your place here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cityofyorkcouncil1/2364698
Booking information:

Suitable for families with children aged 7+. No previous animation experience is required.
Places are limited to 20 participants in total, including children and accompanying adults. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and we encourage families to take part in the activities together. Please only book places for those attending.
This family workshop requires use of a simple animation app. Accompanying adults are encouraged to bring a smartphone or tablet and will be asked to download an animation app which will then be used by the participants throughout the session. This will also allow participants to continue creating animations after the session.

Meadow Makers
2026-10-28 11:00 - 15:00 | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
This autumn, the garden team at Homestead Park will be working the ground and planting species to transform lawn into wildflowers for next spring. Together we will scatter seeds, trample them in and sow our seedlings.
There will also be demonstrations of scything and scarifying, which get the ground ready to sow.
This is a family friendly session sure to be full of joy and silliness – bring your favourite muddy clothes and prepare to get your hands in the soil!
Booking isn’t required – just turn up! Under 18’s are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
Meet outside the Homestead Park pavilion (whatthreewords reference: ///ears.feast.boots)

Climate Fresk
2026-10-28 13:30 - 16:30 | Sustainability Clinic, University of York Campus West, Heslington, York, Yorkshire, YO10 5DD
Take part in a 3-hour interactive workshop to understand the causes and consequences of climate change and how to take action: open to all.
This collaborative workshop uses an interactive card game to make the fundamental science behind climate change accessible and empowers participants to take action. Climate facts are sourced from scientific publications found in the IPCC reports: these are the same reports that inform global political and economic decision-making at the highest level.
Suitable for ages 16+. Note: spaces are limited. Later submissions may be placed on a waiting list.
Please sign up to secure your spot and make us aware of any accessibility requirements via our Google sign up form https://forms.gle/xdRbXDz1yMBv7jMY6
Find the Sustainability Clinic on the University of York Campus West – here is a link to the interactive university map: https://www.york.ac.uk/map/#locidmsd-r-b10
If you have any questions about our sessions, or can no longer attend, please contact esay@york.ac.uk

The rivers and us: future frames
2026-10-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
How might animation help us tell the story of York’s rivers and the challenges they face? Inspired by the York rivers trail, this creative workshop invites young people to explore climate resilience, biodiversity, water and community through animation. Participants will create their own animated responses to environmental challenges and opportunities facing future generations while learning accessible animation techniques and sharing their ideas for York’s future.
Book your place here: https://buytickets.at/cityofyorkcouncil1/2364771
Booking information:

Suitable for young people aged 13+.
Capacity is limited to 20 participants. Young people under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, although the workshop activities are primarily intended for young people.
This workshop requires use of a simple animation app. Participants should bring a smartphone or tablet and will be asked to download an animation app which will then be used throughout the session. This will also allow participants to continue creating animations after the session.

York City Nature Exhibition
2026-10-28 17:30 - 19:00 | Norman Rea Gallery, Derwent College, University of York, York, YO10 5DD
Join us to celebrate the incredible wildlife seen in and around York at the Launch of a weeklong visual exhibition at the Norman Rea Gallery on the University of York campus.
The exhibition includes photographs of wild animals and plants people took during the York City Nature Challenge, paintings and drawings showcasing the art of nature journaling, and brings to light nature-related insights from the Borthwick Archives! There will be sensory journals, stickers and nature-themed bookmarks too!
Please book in advance: https://forms.gle/KxBhDMoS3mfbMrKf8
Suitable for ages 5+.
The Norman Rea Gallery is on the first floor of Derwent College, on the Heslington Campus of the University of York.

The Environmental Destruction of Palestine
2026-10-28 19:00 - 20:30 | https://yorkenvironmentfestival.org.uk/event/environmental-destruction-of-palestine/
Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh is a distinguished Palestinian scientist and author, founder and director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University where he teaches. His talk will be of interest to all who are concerned with climate justice and justice in Palestine.
This is an online event. Reserve your spot: https://buytickets.at/ypa/2356761
Suitable for ages 12+.

Weeds!
2026-10-29 18:30 - 20:00 | West Offices, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA, United Kingdom
Hear how City of York council manages weeds, and how to opt your street out of chemical spraying.
Volunteers from communities that have opted out and Councillors Kent and Whitcroft will share how they manage this, and Laura Potts, a Bishophill resident, will talk about the value of street plants in greening our environment.
Find us at the Hudson Room, CYC West Offices, Station Rise
This is a drop-in session suitable for ages 12+ – no booking is needed.

Children & families half-term fun environment festival activities!
2026-10-30 13:30 - 16:30 | The Gateway Centre, Front Street, York, YO24 3BZ, United Kingdom
Join us at The Gateway Centre for some family-friend half-term environmental activities!
This afternoon features a number of stall holders in central Acomb running environmental-themed activities – Nature crafts, apple activities, planting edibles, inventing a food system – possibly with food-waste snacks, and a number of other organisations who will be confirmed closer to the time.
Book online and join us in person – all welcome! Any donations will go towards the cost of the venue hire.

York City Social Ride
2026-10-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Duncombe Place, York Minster, York, YO1 7ED
Join us for a leisurely group ride around the centre of York, with the opportunity to learn more about campaigns and cycling safely on city streets. Family friendly, with an optional pub social at the end of a roughly 45-minute ride.
Meet us at the West end of York Minster (Duncombe Place). Ebikes and adapted cycles are welcome.
Suitable for ages 12+, with young people accompanied by a guardian.

#talkingclimate: A toolkit for more effective conversations
2026-11-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Micklegate Social, 148-150 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX
Climate change can also be a difficult topic to bring up with your friends, family or colleagues.
Bringing up climate change in conversation can be one of the most powerful things we can do to shift society. So join us for a two hour workshop to build up a practical toolkit, based on Climate Outreach research, to practise talking about climate change with your friends, family and colleagues.”
Find us at The Den, Micklegate Social, 148-150 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX
Suitable forages 16+. Book online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talkingclimate-a-toolkit-for-more-effective-conversations-tickets-1996255579175?aff=oddtdtcreator
